Gulf Blvd. Video Premier

We here at Aura surf were totally stoked with the way things went on Saturday (June 19, 2004). There was an excellent turn out, and major props to the Gulf Coast. The door estimates were between 350 and 400 people by the time the movie started around 10. Mike Reola from ...lost was in town for the holiday and stopped by to watch the movie. We thank him for coming out. It was great to see surfers from California, the EC, Bradenton and Sarasota turn out to watch the flick. Everyone was hooting and really enjoyed the movie. Congragulations to Rob Croft from Treasure Island who took home the 5'11 Gulf Blvd fish!

People we need to thank: Most of all thanks to Kristi, Ashley, Sabrina and Meryl for helping evrything run smooth. Also to Dan Lewicke for running the door. Thanks to Bruce Davies from The Island Shop for loading us up with gifts. Bruce is a long time GC surfer and shop owner who has taken really good care of all the GC surfers who come by the Island Shop on the corner of 688 and Gulf Blvd in IRB. Bruce bought a house in the mountains of Colorado and we are super stoked too see him living his dream. Thanks to Andy from SLY5. He hooked us up major. Sly 5 is his printing company so if you need t's or stickers hit him up from gulfster. Thanks to the guys who gave his VW bus a push start in the parking lot. That was classic. Mike Andrusko is a former CLW surfer who we surfed with back in the 80's. He's now a rep for Etnies and lives over in IHB. He was very generous in helping us out. Barry and Greg from The Surf Shack who loaded the crowd up with free t's. They were a great support and loved the Puerto Rico part of Gulf Blvd. Stop by their shop on St. Pete Beach and check them out. In our personal opinion they have the most informative wave line on the Gulf at (727) 367-RIDE. Thanks to Brian Tudor of B.A.T Surfboards for coming over and hanging out with us. Brian shaped his first board in my back yard just a couple blocks from Boomerz. For us to be there together again was like full circle. The first board Brian made was awesome. He has that gift in his hands, not too many people have it. Over 4000 boards and 16 years later Brian has never wavered or lost focus from his dream. We wish him and his family all the best. Thanks to Joe from Suncoast and Dustin for helping us promote the show. Thanks to Dustin Howard of Hatfield Enterprises. He's been there and done that so he was a tremendous consultant for us. John Purdy who made the first Gulf Coast video Gulf Lines came up from Bradenton. His movie inspired us and got us going. Purdy has some excellent video in the vault. We tried to get to get a trailer going on the video system but could not get it wired. But I am sure it will surface soon. Not only does Purdy make great vids but he is a great surfer also. Thanks to all the other B-ton locals who showed up also. Matt V rips. Soulman, all those guys. We really did not expect that, that was so cool. Show respect for these locals when you go down South. Dan and Ryan from Gulfster, incredible props for teaming up with us and helping promote the video. Jacob from The Compound, Sarasota's best Surf Shop. I'm sorry if I forgot anyone. Danny Jones is a young IRB local who has been kind of an intern for us and done a tremendous job with the computer art work. Props to him. It was a great night. Thanks to all the surfer couples who stayed dancing salsa till 1 in the morning, what a blast. I thought I was the only one who likes musica latina. Thanks to Unlikely Story for helping us out with the music. They rocked the house. If you missed their show it got really funny at the end. After they covered white wedding, they did an impromtu version of baby got back (I like big butts and I cannot lie...) we about busted a gut on that one. Thanks most to all to the Gulf Coast surfers who showed up and supported the scene. It shows we have a thriving surf community and there is definitely room for getting stoked on home grown surf Videos even in the midst of a 2 month flat spell. Thanks again everyone.

E-mail Reviews:

• After watching the vid six times in the last 24 hours - the jury is in, the votes have been tallied, and the questions have been answered - the vid is SICK!!! Es mejor en clase!!!
• "Gulf Blvd." picks up where Purdy's "Gulf Lines" left off...providing more great footage of standout Gulf surfers and breaks, with outstanding editing, graphics, and soundtrack at no extra charge. How could anyone not salivate at the Venice (oops! did I let the cat out of the bag?!) or Isidore or Beach House (oops again!) scenes?
• Tudor's style and grace, Weaver's tubes and cuts, Kep's mad attack, and Alek Parker's everything (hopefully, we will see some more footage of Alek in Puerto - didn't Hatfield say he got some on film?).
• Mad props to Tony and Aura...not only for their great surfing but for taking the time out of the water to memorialize some exceptional Gulf talent...who needs the right coast, when you've got Gulf Blvd.?!
• Thanks for the great show last night. My wife and I had a lot of fun. Tell Tony I said special thanks for putting us up in the V.I.P. balcony, it made the night that more enjoyable with an awesome view. Good job both of you! I'll be getting one of those premier T-shirts via the web page.

To order the video please check out the products section on Music & Video. Or buy a "Gulf Blvd. Premier& T-Shirt at the products section on Clothing